How to reduce your energy consumption and costs
What you can do?
Almost half of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions come from things we all do every day.
Heating accounts for 60% of your home’s energy use; hot water for 23%; cooking for 3%; lighting 3%; and appliances, consumer electronics and computers account for 11% in total. Any savings that you can make will soon start to add up.
The Energy Saving Trust recommend following their top ten tips to save energy:
- Switch off standby - turn electrical appliances off at the plug
- In the kitchen – save water by using a washing up bowl, instead of leaving the tap running continuously whilst washing your dishes; only fill the kettle with the amount of water that you need
- Fit a water efficient shower head if your shower takes water from the boiler or a hot water tank
- Spend one minute less in the shower
- Draught proof windows, doors and gaps around floors and skirting boards
- Take control of your heating - having room thermostat, programmer and thermostatic radiator valves will help save money, turn down your room thermostat by 1 degree and only put heating and hot water on when you need them.
- Use smart heating controls
- Switch to LED bulbs and spotlights and turn off lights when you aren't using them
- Install cavity wall insulation or solid wall insulation when applicable
- Top up your loft insulation to 270mm
You may also wish to consider the use of a thermal imaging camera to identify heat loss in your home which will help you identify where improvements may be needed. Please see our separate webpage for more information: Thermal Imaging Cameras | Test Valley Borough Council
Is there any help towards the energy costs and upgrades?
There is a range of help and advice available, some of which is aimed at those who are able to pay for energy efficiency upgrades, and some for those who are on lower incomes.
‘Hitting the Cold Spots’ is the Hampshire-wide energy advice service aimed at those who may be struggling with energy bills or maintaining a comfortable temperature at home (including keeping cool in summer). They can help with issues such as repairing broken boilers and ensuring that a household has a supply of heating and hot water. Much of the support available from Hitting the Cold Spots is aimed at those who meet certain eligibility criteria, such as low income, or are considered to be vulnerable due to medical conditions.
You can call the Hitting the Cold Spots team at the Environment Centre on 0800 804 8601 for free impartial advice on advice about keeping your home warm and to find out about any grants that may be available to you. Alternatively you can email them at staywarm@environmentcentre.com or visit their website at https://www.hants.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/adultsocialcare/coldspots
ECO4 and Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) - Flexible Eligibility Statement of Intent
The ECO4 and Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) is a scheme administered by Ofgem that can help low income, fuel poor and vulnerable households to improve their home energy efficiency. Some of the medium and larger energy companies are required to put funding toards energy efficiency measures for residents who meet qualifying criteria set by the council. The energy efficiency measures can include:-
- Insulation (lofts, walls, floors)
- Heating upgrades (eg. Heat pumps)
- Renewable technologies (eg. Solar panels)
The Council has produced a Statement of Intent setting out how it proposes to use the flexible Eligibility element of the current ECO4 and Great British Insulation Scheme, and setting out the qualifying criteria. This document is available for download from this page. The current scheme runs until the end of March 2026.
To apply for this scheme, you just need to contact an energy supplier (it doesn’t have to be your current supplier), and they will guide you through the application process.
For homeowners only:-
The ‘My Home Made Better’ scheme is administered through the Environment Centre and offers homeowners easy access to personalised advice for making their home more energy efficient, cheaper to run and fit for future. Customers receive tailored advice, personalised recommendations in a step-by-step plan, and links to a directory of reputable installers.
Simply book your free, 30-minute phone call to get started, or call the Environment Centre (tEC) on 0800 804 8601.
Alternatively, you can visit www.myhomemadebetter.org to see how other people are taking action across Hampshire.
Further Information
The Government has launched a website to provide independent and impartial energy advice, with advice via phone also available. Please see their website at https://www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency for more details.
If you are considering making alterations to your home, it is important to find out whether or not you will need to apply for consent/permission for example through Building Regulations or Planning Permission. If the alterations would be to a listed building, you may also need Listed Building Consent for any works. If Planning Permission or Listed Building Consent is needed, you could also seek pre-application advice for the works.
Next Steps
If you have done all you can to make your home energy efficient and you are interested in making more CO2 savings you may like to consider generating your own energy from renewable sources such as from the wind, sun or wood.
Please see the Renewable Energy Web page for more information.
External links
Test Valley Borough Council does not necessarily endorse or recommend any of the links or services below. Please note: when you follow these links you will leave this site.
The Environment Centre www.environmentcentre.com
Hitting the Cold Spots - https://www.hants.gov.uk/coldspots
The Energy Saving Trust - http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
My Home Made Better - https://myhomemadebetter.org/
Warm Home Discount Scheme
The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill.
If you’re eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill. The money is not paid to you.
The scheme will reopen again in October 2025.
More details can be found on http://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme
Priority Services Register
Priority Services Register is a free support service offered by energy suppliers and network operators. It is to help people in vulnerable situations. Each keeps their own register. You need to contact your energy supplier or network operator to get on the register.
For example, they will provide you with advance notice of planned power cuts, help with meter reading services, etc. For more information please visit the Getting extra help with the Priority Services Register | Ofgem
Help with high energy bills
If you are struggling to pay for energy or think you may get into difficulty, contact your supplier. Government regulations means that suppliers must offer payment plans you can afford, and you can ask for ‘emergency credit’ if you use a prepay meter and can’t top up.